To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to communicate more widely the recent statement by the Rt Hon. Ed Miliband concerning the unacceptability of objecting to wind turbines.

My Lords, Her Majesty’s Government regularly communicate their support for wind generation as part of their commitment to developing renewable energy. We will reaffirm this policy in the renewable energy strategy, to be published this summer.

My Lords, I am most grateful to the Minister for that Answer. Could he confirm that, because of the intermittent nature of wind power, all wind farms need permanent back-up from conventional generating plant? Does he agree, therefore, that supporting wind farms is as socially unacceptable as sneezing in public during a flu epidemic?

No, my Lords, I do not follow the logic of the noble Lord’s argument at all. Of course, he is right to refer to the intermittent nature of wind energy, which means that there must be back-up capacity. However, as this House has frequently reminded me, that reinforces the need for a diversity of supply, which is why this Government have given their support to new nuclear and new coal under carbon capture and storage, as well as encouraging renewables. As for wind in general, we see onshore wind as having a critically important part to play in developing energy sources in this country.

My Lords, does my noble friend accept that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? I, for one, think that wind turbines are not only beautiful but practical as well.

My Lords, I could not agree more. On a recent visit to the Orkney Islands, I saw some beautiful wind farms, which I am sure enhance the landscape.

My Lords, as the noble Lord, Lord Willoughby de Broke, reminded the House, the Minister’s boss, the Secretary of State, declared that objecting to wind farms was socially unacceptable. Is the Minister aware that the distinguished scientist James Lovelock, in his recent book The Vanishing Face of Gaia, with a commendatory preface from the president of the Royal Society, no less—the noble Lord, Lord Rees—contains the most excoriating attack and demolition of the case for wind power that I have ever read and which every objector should use in every public inquiry? Does the Minister consider that Professor Lovelock is socially unacceptable?

My Lords, we welcome all contributions to this enlivening debate about the contribution that wind energy can make to the achievement of the renewable energy targets. As I said, we believe that we need a diversity of supply in future, but, unlike the professor whom the noble Lord mentioned, we believe that wind energy has an important role to play in that diversity of supply.

My Lords, last week there were two announcements—one by Siemens, stating that it was about to open a factory in Kansas employing 400 people in producing wind turbines, and one by Vestas, stating that it was likely to close its turbine plant on the Isle of Wight. Is that not an example of the failure of British government policy on renewable energy and wind power, and is it not an indication that we are falling behind the rest of the world rather than making up the space that we have already lost?

No, my Lords. Those are commercial decisions and, as I told the House last week, the factory that, regrettably, was closed made turbines for the US, not the UK market. There are very positive signs about development in this country. An announcement was made today by E.ON, which said that the first phase of the London Array project will take place later this year, which could generate power in time for the 2012 Olympics. That wind farm will involve 341 turbines, so very significant progress is being made. The renewables target is very challenging and we will need a lot of onshore and offshore wind, but I am satisfied and confident that we will achieve those targets.

My Lords, the Minister referred to the targets. Is he able to tell the House how many regions are on track to reach their targets on renewable energy? What sanctions are there to be applied to local authorities that fail to meet those targets?

My Lords, it is not a question of regional targets. In the summer we will be publishing the renewable energy strategy, which will have scenarios that embrace the developments in different areas of renewable energy that we need to see happen. Behind the right reverend Prelate’s question is the attitude of some local authorities in terms of turning down planning applications. Noble Lords will know that we have reformed planning legislation, and in the summer we will be producing a draft of the national policy statement that will relate to renewable energy. That will, I hope, have a positive impact on the role of local authorities in granting consents.

My Lords, does the Minister appreciate that the unacceptability or acceptability of these turbines depends on where they are to be sited? As one who lives in Cumbria, I have quite strong views about siting. There are places there where it would be unacceptable to site these turbines because of the great damage they would do to the environment in that county.

My Lords, the noble Lord, in common with all noble Lords, appears to have strong views on wind farms. I take his point that there are areas of the country, or specific sites, where it would not be sensible to proceed with wind farm developments. Those are factors that need to be considered by planning authorities. The point that my right honourable friend was making is that it would be wrong if there was simply a blanket assumption that no wind farm development should take place.

My Lords—

My Lords, we are in the 15th minute; we must move on.